Two-way mailing device



Dec, 30, 1952 M. covAN TwowAY MAILNG DEVICE 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April16, 1951 TTGRNEYS ...BMM

Dec. 30, 1952 M. covAN Iwo-wAy MAILING DEVICE 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 FiledApril 16, 1951 INVENTOR.

M QRTON C OVAN BY muy @V ATTORN EYS Dec. 30, 192 M. covAN TWO-WAYMAILING DEVICE 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed April 16. 1951 ATTORNEYS PatentedDec. 30, 1952 UNITED STATES rg'rENT OFFICE 2 claims.

Match books are widely used as an advertising medium. It is the purposeof the present invention to broaden the scope of the usefulness of thematch book as a business stimulator and extend its function to that ofan actual order getter, or a charity fund raiser in addition to itsaccepted function as institutional advertising.

The present limitations of the match book are practically self-imposedbecause of its size. It contains space for only a flash advertisingnotice. My match book invention is designed to remove the limited spacehandicap and use it as a significant medium of education andmerchandising. Match books nd their way into nearly every hand andpocket or pocket book of prospective buyers and hence should carry morethan a mere flash advertisement.

A further object of my invention is to provide a match book that hasvarious naps and panels which may be used for additional advertisingspace or for giving information. Facilities for the ordering ofmerchandise or for the contribution of funds are provided by theaddition of an envelope to the match book and it is possible to convertthe match book cover itself into an envelope after the matches have beenused.

It may be found advisable because of the greater scope of the match bookand the consequent increase in the expense of its manufacture,

to combine the advertising of two or more firms into a single matchbook. To make it possible for the prospective Ibuyers to respond toseveral firms from a single match book, I provide several replyenvelopes in each match book. Where an immediate reply by the advertiseris desired bef fore the matches are consumed, a removable and mailableobject is provided for the match book, such as a` postal card which maybe detached immediately and mailed to the advertiser. In this way a fulladvertising value is received by the one advertising on the removableand mailableY object because it is a well known fact thatV salesresponse lags and is frequently entirely lost' where the one using thematch book must use all of the matches before making any inquiry aboutan item advertised by the book. l

A further object of my invention is to provide' a match book having theabove features and removable and mailable object, the desired message.

Other objects and advantages will appear in the following specification,and the novel features of the device will be particularly pointed out inthe appended claims.

My invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings forming a partof 4this application, in which:

Figure 1 is a front elevation of the match book in folded position;

Figure 2 is a development view of the match book looking at it from theinner surface; p,

Figure 3` is an enlarged transverse section taken along the line III-IIIof Figure 2 and shows the envelope attached to the main body of thematch book;

Figure 4 is a vertical section taken along the line IV-IV of Figure 2and illustrates the same envelope shown in both Figures 2 and 3;

Figure 5 is a transverse section taken along the line V-V of Figure 2and indicates how a mailable object is removably secured to the backing;

Figure 6 is a development view of the match book when looking at theouter face thereof;

Figure 7 is a development view of the detachable reply envelope which isshown to the left of the line VII-VII in Figure 2;

Figure 8 shows the reply envelope detached and partially folded;

Figure 9 shows the main body of the match 'book with the reply envelopeof Figure 7 removed and the mailable object of Figure 5 and its backingalso removed; and

Figure l0 illustrates the main body of the match book of Figure 9 foldedand readyl for mailing. v

In carrying out my invention,- I provide a blank, shown in Figures 2 and6, which may be made from any material desired, such. as paper. Figure 2shows the inside of the kblank while Figure 6 shows the outside view.vThe blank comprises a main body portion A and two sideV .4 napsindicated generally at Al and A2. The side flap Al carries a removableand foldable envelope which is shown in blank form at B' in- Figures 2and 6. The same envelope is also. illustrated in Figures 7 and 8 asdetached from the side flap AI and the construction and novel featuresof the envelope will be set forth hereinafter.

The other side iiap A2 is integral with a backing member C and thisbacking member is designed to carry a plurality of removable andmailable objects such as a postal card D shown in Figure 2. It ispossible to remove the backing member C when it is no longer needed andthis will leaveonly the side flap A2 as remaining attached to the mainbody A as clearly shown in Figure 9. The same figure also shows the sideflap AI after the envelope B is removed therefrom.

The present match book has been designed to be used by at least threeadvertisers with the main body A being used by one advertisery theremovable foldable envelope B being used by a second advertiser and thebacking C with its removable and mailable objects being used by a thirdadvertiser, or even more if it is found advisable. Of course, one ormore advertisers could use the match book with advantage. Both thefoldable envelope B and the backing C can be folded into the interior ofthe match book A and when the match book is folded, the parts B and Cwill be concealed as well as the side flaps AI and A2. Reference toFigure 1 shows the device when all of the parts are folded into theinterior of the match book. 'It is best to explain the construction ofthe main body A of the match book and then follow this with theconstruction of the removable and foldable envelope B and the detachablebacking C with its removable and mailable objects D.

Main body of match book The interior of the main body A of the matchbook when laid out in blank form is illustrated in Figure 2 While theexterior surface of the same body is illustrated in Figure 6. In Figure2, I show the main body A provided with a fold line I that divides thebody into a back portion 2 and a match `carrying portion 3. The portion3 has a book of matches E stapled or otherwise secured thereto at 4. Theignitable ends 5 of the matches project beyond the end 6 of the matchcarrying portion 3.

A tear line 'I extends across the match carrying portion and is disposeda slight distance from the base 8 of the book of matches. The purpose ofthis tear strip or score line is to permit the supporting structure forthe pack of matches E, to be removed from the flap 3 when the last matchhas been used, or should the person wish to make use of the main body Aas an envelope to send to the advertiser, he may remove the pack E alongthe line I before all of the matches have been used. Figure 2 also showsa strip 9 of adhesive material bordering the perforated line 'I and thisstrip of adhesive is used for sealing the folded body A in a mannerhereinafter described.

An expandible envelope F is provided on the inner surface I0 of the backportion 2, see Figures 2 and 10, and the base Il of the envelope extendsover a portion of the lower ap 3. The envelope may be made from an extrasheet of paper, slightly smaller than the body A of the book, and thepaper may be attached to the body on three sides by gluing or stapling.The top of the envelope F extends over the top flap I'I of the body A aslight distance. It will be seen from Figure 3 that the sides of theenvelope are creased or folded as at I2 and I3 so as to permit theenvelope to be enlarged according to the amount of material slipped intoits interior. The back portion 2 of the body A forms the rear of theenvelope. Again referring to Figure 2, it will be seen that the top ofthe envelope is provided with a nap I4 that may be gummed on its under 4surface. A perforated tear line I4a extends along the flap to permit theenvelope F to be opened by severing along this line.

Figure 4 indicates how the base II of the envelope is secured to theback portion 2 of the body A and further shows how the ap I4 can beswung into open position, as indicated by the dot dash line, for thepurpose of placing the desired -material into the envelope interior.When the ap I4 is in extended position, it will overlie an adhesivestrip I5 applied to the inner surface of the main body A. The adhesivestrip is disposed adjacent to a fold line I6 that permits a top flap I'Ito be folded down over the bottom ap 3 when the main body A is foldedinto closed position along its lines I and I6. Figure 1 illustrates thetop flap I'I when folded, overlying a portion o-f the lower folded flap3.

The envelope F could have the name of an advertiser printed in therectangle area I shown in Figure 2. The top flap I'I of the body vA hastwo sections, an outer one I'Ia and an inner one I'Ib, separated by'theadhesive strip I5. The purpose of the two sections is to permit a twowaymailing of the main body A in a manner hereinafter explained. In orderto secure the top flap I'I to the bottom flap 3 when the two are infolded position, as shown in Figure 1, I provide an adhesive strip 20 onthe inner surface of the top flap I1 and adjacent to its outer edge andthis strip will cause the top flap to adhere to the bottom one. When themain body A is to be sent through the' mail, it is preferable that thefoldable envelope B be removed as Well as the backing C. In addition tothis the book of matches E will be removed from the lower flap 3 bysevering along'the scored line 1.

The expandible envelope F provided in the main body A may be used as themain or auxiliary envelope for reply purposes and is designed to receivea letter or any contribution if the main body A is used for the sendingof small articles, or is used for receiving coins or checks for charitypurposes. The envelope may also be used to receive additional orderblanks, contest forms, subscription slips, etc. The flap I4 of theenvelope F can be sealed shut by causing it to adhere to the adhesivestrip I5. The ap I4 has a tear line I4a to permit the envelope F to beopened. If desired a message lcan be written on the envelope F and ifthe person does not have a pencil or pen, the flap AI can be foldedalong the fold line 2| so as to place a carbon paper portion 22 over theenvelope. The non-ignitable end of one of the matches E can now be usedas the writing instrument and the carbon paper will transfer the writtenmessage to the envelope.

Again referring to Figure 6, which shows the outer surface of the mainbody A, it will be seen that where the back portion 2 joins the matchcarrying portion 3, I provide a roughened striker surface 38 forigniting matches E when the ignitable ends are drawn thereacross. Thestriker surface is placed at the fold line I so that a portion of itextends on to the back 2 while the remaining portion extends on to thematch carrying flap 3. Ihe striking surface 38 is'placed on the outerside of the main body A so as to prevent any likelihood of the matchesbeing ignited accidentally when they are Y folded within the package. -1j YIt will also be seen from Figure 6 that the top flap I1 of the mainbody A has two areas; an outer one at I'Ia and an inner one at I'Ib.Each area I'Ia and I'Ib is provided with a rectangular outline 33a and39h, respectively,` for designating where a stamp is to be placed. Thisconstruction adapts the main body A. to' be used as a two-way envelopewhen the foldable envelope B and backing C are removed. The pack ofmatches E is also removed along the tear line 1 before the main body Ais mailed.

When the top flap l1 is folded over the previously folded bottom ap 3, apostage stamp is placed on the rectangular area 39d in the manner shownin Figure 1. The window I9 may expose the return address of the senderwhich is actually printed on the outer surface of the portion of thelower flap 3 that registers with the window when the parts are folded asin Figure l. The adhesive strip on the top flap |1` is used for sealingthe envelope and this strip will cause the top flap to adhere to thebottom flap.

When the one receiving the envelope desires to remail it, he reversesthe order of folding the top and bottom flap so that the bottom ap 3will now overlie a portion of the top flap |111 and will cover therectangular area 39a and thus cover the previously canceled stamp. Thepere son returning the envelope can place the stamp on the otherrectangular area 39h. The adhesive strip 9 is used for sealing thebottom flap on the top flap. The outer' flap portion I1a could besevered along the tear line I'c and the remaining flap portion |11),secured in place by the gummed strip l5.

Removable envelope blank llt is desirable that the foldable envelopeblank. B be detached from the flap AI along the' tear line 23 before themain body A with its expansible envelope F is used. It is furtherdesirable that the backing C be detached from the flap A2 along the tearline 24 before the main body A is folded and sent through the mail. Iwill now describe the construction of the removable envelope blank B andthen describe the backing C and its removable and mailable objects D.The removable envelope B is shown in Figures 2, 6, 7 and 8. In Figure 1,the envelope blank is shown detached from the main body A and the blankitself has a mainY body portion 25 with side flaps 26 and 21 hingedthereto along fold lines 28 and 29, respectively. In addition, theenvelope blank has a top flap 3|! and a bottom flap 3|, both beingfoldable along the fold lines 32 and 33, also indicated in Figure 7. Theinner surface of the main body 25 may be used on which to write amessage or a letter may be written on a separate piece of paper andplaced within the folded envelope.

In Figure 8, I show the envelope in a folded position with the aps 26and 21 extending inwardly and the bottom flap 3| folded and overlyingthese flaps. The envelope may be sealed shut by folding the top flap 30over a portion of the bottom nap 3| and the gummed strip 34 on the innersurface of the top flap will adhere to the outer surface of the foldedbottom flap 3|. In the develop-ment view of the outer surface of thefoldable envelope B shown in Figure 6, I show the top flap 3l! providedwith a rectangular area for receiving a stamp. When the top flap 30overlies a portion of the folded bottom flap 3|, the rectangular area 36on the bottom flap would be covered and the stamp will be affixed to therectangular area 35.

The envelope is designed for being returned by mail by the one receivingit. The return mailing of the envelope is made possible by rst foldingthe top flap 3|)y down upon the folded side flaps 2.6 and 21 and thenfolding the bottom flap 3| over a portion of the top flap.. The bottomflapl will now cover the rectangular area 35 on the top flap to coverthe stamp affixed thereto and the` adhesive strip 31 on the innersurface of the. bottom ap, see Figure '7, is used for sealing theenvelope. A stamp is applied to the rectangular area 36.

When itis not advisable to go to the expanse of placing gummed strips 34and 31 on the flaps 3U and 3| of the envelope blank in Figure '7, theflaps may be so arranged that the side flaps 26 and 21 and the upper andlower flaps 30 and 3|, meet eachother when folded and a postage stampcan be used as the envelope sealing means. This arrangement of havingthe two side flaps and theu upper and lower iiap meet either inthecenter ofthe envelope or at its side would also permit a sticker orsmall label to be used as the sealing means rather than the postageVstamp.

Removable4 backing member I will now explain the structure of theremovable baoking member' C to which are remove ably secured themailable objects such asV the postal card D. Referring to Figure 2, itwill be seen that the inner surface of the backing meinber` C isprovided with a U-shaped adhesive strip portion 40 that parallels theedges of and is dis'- posed. adjacent to three of the sides of themember C. This U shaped strip portion also borders the mailable object Dso as not to interfere with it.A In Figures 2 and 5,` I show how themailable object Dfis secured to the backing member C by the tab 4| thatis attached to thev flap A2. The object D may be removed from the tab 4|by tearing along a tear line Ma. I further show in Figure 5 how thereply card D can be swung into the dot dashv line position about itstear line Ma, preparatory to severing the card from its backing` member.

Itis possible before removing the member D, to swing' it about its tearline Ma as a hinge so that the opposite side of the member will befacing uppermost when the member overl'ies the envelope F in Figure 2.It is then possible to swing the carbon-coated side flap AI over thesurface of the member D and then use the non-ignitable end of one of thematches E as a writing instrument to write on the member D any datadesired. In this way the member D can be used even though the one usingthe member be without a 5,5 1 pen or pencil. After the writing throughthe lpostal card attached to the backing member C,

it should be understood that any type of mailable article may beremovably secured to the backing and a plurality of such items may beattached to the same backing member. This will give the person a choiceof mailing one or more of the items to the same advertiser or todifferent advertisers as the case may be. The mailable objects can takethe shape of foldable envelopes or collapsible containers, etc. tachedat their inner ends to the flap A2 in the same manner as the member D isattached along the tear line Ma. The three unattached edges of themember D may be secured to the backing member C, by folding over thegummed strip portions 40 that border the member. These folded overgummed strip portions 40 would retain They may be at- 7. not only themember D, but any additional mailable members (not shown) that might beattached to the backing C. l l

' The backing member C and the member D are foldable along the line 49aWhile still attached to the flap A2 so as to permit the folded membersto be received within the interior of the main body A when the latter isfolded as in Figure 1. The foldable envelope B is also foldable alongits fold lines 23, 29, 32 and 33 and then is folded along its attachingline 23 so as to be received Within the interior of the main body whenthe flap Al is folded into the interior of the main backing A. In thisway the entire device is self-contained and can be readily picked up byone who desires to make use of the matches.

It is possible to mail the main body A as second-class matter after themembers B, C, D and E are removed. When this is done, the side ap AI isfolded over the previously folded bottom flap 3, see Figure l0, and thenthe top flap I'I is brought down upon the side flap AI. The outerportion Ila of the top flap is torn along the tear line I'lc. In Figures9 and 10, I show the side flap Al as being cut along an angular line 42so as to provide a tongue 43 that will receive the outer edge Ile of thetop flap I1. The tongue is strong enough in structure to hold the topflap Il in folded position and when the tongue is used, the adhesivestrip i is not used for sealing purposes. The folded main body A whenarranged in this manner can be sent through the mail as second classmatter. Y

I have already described how the body A can be mailed twice by using thetop ap portion I'Iot` and then in the second mailing, using the innertop flap portion I lb, the outer one Ha being covered by the lower flap3. It is possible for the addressee to tear the top flap portion Ilaalong the tear line llc when receiving the folded body A in order toopen it. Then when the addressee wishes to return the envelope A, thenext flap portion lll) can be used and the adhesive strip l5 is utilizedfor securing the ap in sealed position. The expandible envelope F,housed within the folded body A would have its flap I4 folded out of theway.

It is therefore possible to fold and seal the body A on the returnmailing to cover up the postal cancellation on the outer portion Ha ofthe top flap il, or to remove this portion entirely along the tear linellc. The side flaps Al and A2 are used to enclose the sides of thefolded body or envelope A.

While I have shown only the preferred form of my invention, it should beunderstood that various changes or modifications may be made within thescope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit and scopeof the invention.

I claim:

1. A device of the type described comprising a main body; a side flapintegral with the main body; a removable and mailable object carried bythe side ap and being foldable into a position overlying the main body;and a second side nap integral with the main body and being disposed onthe opposite side from the first mentioned side nap; said ysecond flaphaving a carbon coated portion adapted to overlie the mailable objectwhen the latter is folded over the main body and the second side flap isfolded thereover; whereby data may be inscribed on the mailable objectwhen tracing a writing instrument over the carbon coated portion of thesecond side flap.

2. In a two-way mailing device of the type described; a main body havinga center portion and top and bottom flaps; the top flap having a tearline dividing it into an outer and an inner portion with a postage stampreceiving area on each portion; a gummed strip on the inner surface ofthe outer portion for causing the top flap to be secured to the foldedbottom flap for initial mailing; the outer portion of the top flap beingremovable from the bottom flap for return mailing; the center portionhaving a side flap foldable to overlie the folded bottom flap and toextend under the shortened top flap; said side flap having av notch forreceiving a part of the folded vtop flap, `thenotch defining a retainingtab forengaging with the top flap for holding it in closed position.

MORTON COVAN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 673,399 Koester May 7, 1901877,330 Harvey Jan. 2l, 1908 1,453,015 Lavigne Apr. 24, 1923 1,722,465Gray July 30, 1929 2,157,740 Quinlan May 9, 1939 2,349,488 Dement May23, 1944 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 63,240 Switzerland Feb. 27,1913

